Fall Wedding at Venue at The Grove

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Fall Wedding at Venue at The Grove | Arizona Elopement Photographer

Eric & Lexi’s wedding at Venue at The Grove took place in November. Fall weddings in Phoenix are some of our absolute favorite because of the colors, lighting and the weather during our fall months just can’t be beat! The couple opted to do a first look before the ceremony which was so sentimental and emotional, capturing moments like this is one of the best parts about being a wedding photographer! A big misconception about doing a first look before the ceremony is that your partner will not have a big reaction to seeing you walk down the aisle after, which is absolutely not true – Eric is proof of that!

For couples who choose to have their wedding at Venue at The Grove, this venue provides them with a lush garden like scenery with plenty of greenery and trees to surround them and their guests! Getting married in Arizona it is often hard to find a venue that is not in Northern Arizona that can provide a scenery other than desert or a modern indoor venue. Venue at The Grove is a really great option for those looking to escape the heat and desert feel that most venues in Arizona offer. The venue also has an incredible staff who is so helpful to their couples at every event we have photographed here, an onsite coordinator team and a list of amazing vendors for couples to choose from!

A few of our favorite things about Eric and Lexi’s wedding at Venue at The Grove was the colors of their bridal party outfits, their absolutely stunning design choices to compliment the fall season in Arizona and just how close and sweet all of their family and friends were! You could really tell this was such a big day for everyone attending! We absolutely love when bridesmaids do different colors and styles for their dresses, not only does it look so fun in photos but it really allows your bridal party to be able to show off their personality!

The reception was so beautiful as well! The string lights throughout the reception area help create such an intimate setting for guests to enjoy while eating dinner and mingling. Cruisin’ Photo Bus was at the reception as well which is always a huge hit for guests and so fun for photos! The couple shared a last dance surrounded by guests before exiting through a sparkler tunnel! If you are getting married soon and need any other wedding exit ideas make sure you check out our blog for more!

Vendors :

Venue: Venue At The Grove

Photographer: Charlotte Francis Photo

Catering: Ensamble Catering

Makeup: Emily Mosby MUA

Hair: The Priscilla Style

Photo Booth Bus: Cruisin’ Photo Bus

Floral: Wild Child Floral

Cake: Sugar Lips Cakery

Luxury El Chorro Wedding

August 26, 2023August 26, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Luxury El Chorro Wedding | Arizona Wedding Photographer

Ryan and Rebecca’s Luxury El Chorro Wedding was nothing short of breathtaking. El Chorro is perfect for those who are looking for a sophisticated venue with jaw dropping views. El Chorro leaves nothing to be wanted for – with it’s beautiful desert views, indoor and outdoor options and ability to completely customize the space to give you the wedding of your dreams. El Chorro is unique as well because there are 4 different areas on the property that you are able to utilize for your wedding day!

If you are looking for another incredible wedding venue, make sure you check out our blog on the top wedding venues in Arizona!

El Chorro is seriously one of our absolute favorite venues! This wedding was also so fun because we got to work with such incredible vendors to bring it together – including Jane In The Woods who absolutely transformed this space into something straight out of a magazine! The couples planner Kelsey did such a fantastic job!

Rebecca and Ryan spared no expense when planning their Luxury El Chorro Wedding. From the custom wedding dress down to the hand made seating chart, every detail about their wedding was truly unique to them as a couple. I loved the fact that they used the ceremony space for both the ceremony and reception. The awesome thing about El Chorro is the fact that you can customize the spaces however you please. So the reception was completely unrecognizable from how it looks only an hour prior. The team at El Chorro makes some magic happen when creating spaces for their couples!

I could go on forever about how insane this Luxury El Chorro Wedding was but I’ll let this photos speak for me! A huge shout out to all of the amazing vendors who made this day happen below!

Vendors:

Venue: El Chorro

Photography: Charlotte Francis Photo

Videography: Love Story Films

Planning: Jane In The Woods Kelsey

Makeup: NeeLabs

Dress: Enzoani

Tux: Mens Warehouse

Tailor: Tailored In White

Signage: Freja Creative

Neon: HowdyDudeyNeon

Bartending: Couple Of Bartenders

Rentals: Bright Event Rentals & Found Rental Co

Custom Installments: The Details Duo

Floral: Zinnia Floral

DJ: Direct Sounds

Luxury Tabletop: Casa de Perrin

Dessert: A Bake Shop

Gelato Cart: Frost

Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding in Sedona

August 26, 2023August 26, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding in Sedona | Arizona Elopement Photographer

Patrick and Brooke’s Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding in Sedona is one of our absolute favorite weddings to date! There are many reasons why this venue is one of Sedona’s most sought after venues to get married. The venue rests on the side of a cliff overlooking the stunning red rocks high up in the clouds. It truly feels like you are getting married in the sky!

One of our absolute favorite things about photographing weddings is the relationships we get to form with our couples. Patrick and Brooke put all of their trust in us on their wedding day and allowed us to capture them and their families in such a beautiful way! They focused only on each other and let us do the rest so they could spend their wedding day enjoying the company of their closest friends and family surrounded by all of Sedona’s beauty.

One thing that really stood out to me during Patrick and Brooke’s Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding was the time they took into carefully considering all details and really making sure they incorporated things that were special to them as a couple. They were planning a move to Germany shortly after the wedding and make sure to share a cheers cliff side during bridals with some local Germany beers! I also loved them bringing their sweet puppy in for a few photos during reception!

Patrick and Brooke chose the most stunning color palette for their Sky Ranch Lodge Wedding. Warm yellows, oranges, pinks and reds were the perfect colors to accentuate Sedona’s rich color palette. They also chose to decorate with dried florals, macrame and gold accents inside of their reception tent to welcome guests in after enjoying the sunset over the red rocks. Pair that with a pizza bar, some delicious bundt cakes and an awesome DJ and their guests were in for an incredible night!

Thank you Patrick and Brooke for trusting us to capture such a special day for you two!

Vendors :

Venue : Sky Ranch Lodge in Sedona

Photographer : Charlotte Francis Photo

DJ : 7000 Feet of Sound

Pizza : Doughlicious

Bundt Cakes : Nothing Bundt Cakes

Spring Micro Wedding in Arizona

August 26, 2023August 26, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Spring Micro Wedding in Arizona | Arizona Elopement Photographer

For their Spring Micro Wedding in Arizona – Kelly and Ty knew exactly what they wanted to bring their dream day to life. Kelly and Ty dreamed of an intimate and meaningful celebration with their closest friends and family. While we planned their wedding day we originally thought something near the base of the Superstition Mountains could be a good option as the couple loved the idea of a dreamy golden sun drenched wedding. Kelly’s parents offered to hold their wedding at their beautiful Scottsdale home. They knew that they wanted to keep their wedding day small and intimate and holding it at their parents home made it that much more special!

When clients decide on having a Micro Wedding in Arizona our number one tip, especially when the micro wedding is not at a venue or space that typically holds weddings, is to make sure that wherever the couple decides on has plenty of good light and ample photo opportunities. Kelly and Ty’s family home was nothing short of perfection, they could not have had a more stunning wedding location if they tried! The home was only a few minutes away from the mayo clinic hiking trail where we went for their first look and bridal photos prior to their ceremony. After the ceremony we explored the backyard that opened into an expansive desert with tons of beautiful golden light, cacti and mountains!

Kelly and Ty shared hand written vows in front of guests during their ceremony. We were able to capture some of their family and friends reactions to their sweet words to each other as well. Hand written vows are always so special to witness at weddings. A little tip if you are getting married and stressed about vows – write them the day of! Some will say that it is crazy to wait or that it’s bad because it is last minute, but several couples have actually told us they prefer to write their vows the morning of! Writing your vows the day of your wedding is actually much easier because you are so in the moment already that words come easier than they normally would. Another bonus, you get cute photos of you writing your vows too if you wait until the big day!

Their reception space was created with the help of their amazing wedding planner. They were able to transform the ceremony space into an intimate and elegant space where guests could mingle near the fireplace with the dim lit candles, enjoy the delicious food from the personal chef team they hired – who were absolutely PHENOMENAL! and listen to music while they enjoyed each others company. It was the most beautiful Micro Wedding in Arizona and we were honored to be able to capture every minute of it!

Vendors :

Coordinator: Weddings By Heather Renee

Photographer: Charlotte Francis Photo

Florals: The Floral Theory

Rentals: Material Girls Weddings & The Event Co

Cakes: A. Cakes Bakery

Violimist: Selin Eskandarian Esko Violin

Catering: Lil Leto Catering

Dress: Alice in Ivory

Shoes: Harlo

Hair and Makeup: Le Beige Beauty

Invites/Menu: August and White

Welcome Bar and Sign: TSE Calligraphy

Shaice and Seth’s Modern Wedding at The Paseo

August 17, 2023August 17, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Shaice and Seth’s Modern Wedding at The Paseo

Being able to photograph a wedding at The Paseo is always a magical experience for us, Shaice and Seth’s modern wedding at The Paseo was no exception! The venue itself is Arizona’s number one most sought after venue to get married at. We often have couples come from all over the world to get married at The Paseo because absolutely nothing compares! If you are looking for an incredible desert wedding experience then Shaice and Seth’s wedding will not disappoint!

The Paseo is an exclusive, unique and luxurious venue directly in front of the Superstition Mountains. Surrounded by Saguaros, Cholla and an expansive desert as the backdrop! This is the perfect location to hold any wedding celebration. As an elopement and wedding photographer in Arizona, we are always drawn to color palettes that enhance the natural beauty of the venues and locations we are working with during events. Shaice and Seth chose to go with a mix between modern and bohemian with their sleek all black bridal party outfits and the stunning dried florals decorated all throughout the venue.

Shaice and Seth are huge family people! When we met to discuss their vision for their modern wedding at The Paseo they emphasized how important capturing the moments between them and their families were. They are so close with their families they really wanted to capture that during their big day and we were so honored to be a part of such intimate and special moments between all of them! Seth and Shaice were long distance for many years while they both finished school and also had most of guests come from out of state to celebrate them so this day was a big one for everyone!

After Shaice and Seth exchanged their vows in front of the Superstition Mountains, they wandered through the desert to enjoy some desert views and get the majestic golden hour photos that everyone dreams about! As the sun began to set, guests were invited into The Paseo’s massive reception space. Tables decorated with dried florals, sleek black tablecloths and candles welcomed guests as they sat for dinner with the large barn doors open unveiling the Superstitions as the sun set. It was the perfect design for a modern wedding at The Paseo!

Shaice and Seth’s wedding at The Paseo was so fun! A few of our favorite touches that felt like they brought more personalization to the day was the classic car we used for an exit along with some epic bridal photos during reception, the super fun champagne tower and the glow sticks they brought to liven up the dance floor!

Vendors:

Venue : The Paseo

Photography : Charlotte Francis Photo

Floral: jbarrydesigns

Food: santancatering

Dessert: suejacobscakes

DJ: dtbpro

Bartenders: ontherocksbartenders

Bridal Hair: alena_beautyaz

Bridal Makeup: mayra.beeauty

Wedding Party Hair: estrellabeautyco

Wedding Party Makeup: luxbeautybycrystal

Ceremony Arch & Getaway Car Rentals: idorentalsaz

Signage & Stand Rentals: etchingsbyemma

Beer Burro: beverageburro

Mount Lemmon Elopement | Arizona Elopement Photographer

August 16, 2023August 16, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Mount Lemmon Elopement | Arizona Elopement Photographer

Kassidy and Owen celebrated their Mount Lemmon Elopement just the two of them and their sweet baby boy! Mount Lemmon is located in Tucson, Arizona and was the perfect location for their special day. Not only is this location insanely gorgeous and so versatile but it also holds such a sentimental meaning to the couple. When they first began dating Owen would take Kassidy on dates to Mount Lemmon to look out at the city lights after a hike and enjoy the views, being able to bring them back to celebrate so many years later was so surreal!

This Mount Lemmon elopement took place in January of this year! The weather was still chilly and some areas even had snow. The really awesome thing about Mount Lemmon is the versatile scenery you will see here though! The top of the mountain may have been chilly with snow and intense wind but the base was comfortable and covered in saguaros and sun while the middle of the mountain is covered with lush forest. It is truly one of my favorite locations to bring couples because it is a location where you can really experience it all!

Kassidy and Owen knew that including climbing was an absolute must for their elopement day! This climb was extra special for them though because this was the first rock they climbed when Owen taught Kassidy many years ago, they used to climb on date night together and watch the city lights and now this is the rock where they shared their vows many years later. Thank you so much Kassidy and Owen for letting me capture such an incredible day for you two!

Head to my contact page to book with me as your elopement photographer so that I can create a magical experience for you as well 🙂

Wedding Exit Ideas From A Wedding Photographer

August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Wedding Exit Ideas | Arizona Wedding Photographer

Coming up with unique wedding exit ideas does not have to be a difficult task in planning your send off! As wedding photographers, we are pretty involved in helping couples plan aspects of their days that they may be unsure about. After all we do see hundreds of weddings in our careers and most couples have maybe attended a dozen weddings in their lifetime, so it totally makes sense that they may need some help brainstorming!

Whether you are going for classic or creative, there are wedding exit ideas out there for every couple! Here are some of our favorite send-off ideas that we have seen throughout the years. Browse through these awesome send offs to find the perfect fit for your wedding vision!

Traditional Wedding Exit Ideas

Sparklers

While sparklers are an absolute classic when it comes to wedding exit ideas, more venues over the years have begun to not allow this option due to fire hazards or guests being unsafe with them! If your venue does allow sparklers and you are not at risk of fires, I say go for it! You can’t go wrong with a sparkler exit!

Flower Petals

Flower Petals are a personal favorite of mine for wedding exits! Flowers can be more budget friendly as well because you can either use extra florals from your florist, or if you want to save even more money, buy some bouquets from Trader Joe’s the night before or day of to de petal toss!

Bubbles

Bubbles are a super fun and easy wedding exit idea! They are fairly inexpensive and all guests can hold a wand easily for a send off. If you want to really go crazy and have a TON of bubbles for your exit try these giant bubble guns!

Streamers

Streamers are a fun and festive way to head off toward your honeymoon! They are completely customizable with color, size, and length. A cool way to customize them could be to use your wedding colors as well for them!

Glow Sticks

Glow sticks are also a really easy and stress free send off option! They are decently priced and you can buy in bulk to make sure every guests has a few to really brighten your exit up. If you can, try and find the longer sticks rather than the short because they don’t photograph as well! Glow sticks or wands are also super fun to add to the dance floor for fun dancing shots!

Confetti

If you are in an indoor venue and they don’t mind traditional confetti this is a great send off option! If you are exiting outdoors in nature you’ll definitely want to invest in some biodegradable confetti instead. It looks no different but isn’t bad for the environment and is an easier clean up! If you do not want traditional confetti you can always go the dried lavender or hole punched leaves route!

Unique Wedding Exit Ideas

Fireworks

Is there anything more epic than fireworks lighting up the sky as you exit your wedding? This is the most incredible and unexpected way to end the night! Guests will be shocked and love this exit because it’s such a rare idea it isn’t done often but dang does it look cool!

Cold Sparks

Cold sparks are the perfect sparkler alternative! If you are wanting something epic like sparklers but your venue does not allow them this is the next best thing! The cold sparks are perfectly safe and can be used indoor or outdoors making it a safe option for locations with fire hazards.

Smoke Bombs

Smoke bombs are such a fun and unique way to be sent off! Typically this send off is done while it’s still light out or for epic bridal party photos since it’s tougher to see these outdoors. If the venue has additional outdoor lighting this is a really cool option though! If doing smoke bombs make sure you keep a good distance from the white dress so it doesn’t stain!

Getaway Car

Using a getaway car at the end of the night is such a classy and fun way to end your wedding night! It is great not only for photo ops but also gives you a way to say see ya to guests at the end of the night without having to wait around for an Uber or a family member to pull a car around. Pro tip – have the car arrive before sunset so that you can use it for bridal photos before v it’s dark out!

Looking for more wedding tips? Make sure to check our blog on Arizona’s top wedding venues!

20 of Arizona’s Best Wedding Venues To Check Out Right Now

August 2, 2023August 2, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

20 of Arizona’s Best Wedding Venues To Check Out Right Now | Arizona Wedding Photographer

Come along and view our personal guide to Arizona’s Best Wedding Venues! Arizona is one of the warmest and sunniest states in the United States. From it’s sun drenched deserts, saguaros, canyons, mountains and unbeatable sunsets it is no wonder couples travel from all over the world to plan their wedding here!

Arizona’s Best Wedding Venues : Desert

The Paseo

Apache Junction, Arizona

There is no better place for a true Arizona wedding than The Paseo. It is carefully placed at the foot of the majestic Superstition Mountains, surrounded by picturesque native Sonoran Desert; a romantic, completely unique, private outdoor venue. Their motivated staff will ensure your special day is everything you could ever imagine. The Paseo is also family owned and operated making it that much more special!

Inquire about booking The Paseo here!

El Chorro

Paradise Valley, Arizona

El Chorro is an absolutely magical venue to get married and one of Arizona’s best wedding venues in our opinion. Framed by Cambelback mountain and saguaros galore, El Chorro provides a stunning backdrop for weddings. You have access to both the luxurious indoor reception space as well as the outdoors that holds beautiful desert landscape for photos. The space is completely customizable as well giving you the freedom to truly have the wedding ceremony and reception of your dreams!

Inquire about booking with El Chorro here!

Desert View

Apache Junction, Arizona

Desert View is one of Arizona’s newest all-inclusive wedding venues located in Apache Junction. They are set to open in Fall 2023 but we have already had so many of our own couples book this beautiful space! Desert View has two buildings with three distinct areas: the Event Center, the Chapel and the Outdoor Ceremony Location, all with stunning mountain views of the Superstitions!

Inquire about booking Desert View here!

Mountain Shadows

Paradise Valley, Arizona

Say your “I Do’s” in an unforgettable desert setting. Mountain Shadows sits between Camelback and the Mummy Mountains creating the perfect desert backdrop for any wedding celebration! Not only does this venue have a stunning lawn to hold your ceremony but the overlook deck with Camelback Mountain views is the perfect space to enjoy your reception dinner as the sun sets. There is also a ballroom available for couples who wish to have an indoor reception in warmer months!

Inquire about booking Mountain Shadows here!

Arizona’s Best Wedding Venues : Garden

Stonebridge Manor

Mesa, Arizona

Set among lush gardens, Stonebridge Manor by Wedgewood Weddings is an enchanting setting that draws the eye to the magnificent mansion, featuring a choice of climate-controlled modern reception rooms, grand staircases, and large picture windows that flood the event space with natural light. Stonebridge has two options for couples a garden pavillion or a manor courtyard.

Inquire about booking Stonebridge Manor here!

The Meadow : Schnepf Farms

Queen Creek, Arizona

The Meadow is ideal for couples hoping for a quiet, private wedding set in nature. This lush green meadow is tucked away in a 25-year old pine forest, creating an enchanting atmosphere for your big day, with wooden benches, a ceremony arch, and birds chirping around you. The venue will provide large farm tables with benches for you and your guests. It’s a perfect escape for an enchanting wedding of up to 200 guests!

Inquire about booking The Meadow here!

Venue At The Grove

Phoenix, Arizona

Venue at the Grove is perfect for those wanting a lush, shaded and intimate wedding experience. Surrounded by an orchard of pecan trees The Grove provides an environment that lets you escape the Arizona desert scenery and heat.

Inquire about booking with Venue at The Grove here!

The Farm at South Mountain

Phoenix, Arizona

The Farm at South Mountain offers the most unique wedding experience in Phoenix. Voted “Best Wedding Venue in Arizona” by several industry magazines, The Farm’s beautiful gardens and lush Arizona landscape make it a naturally perfect place to tie the knot!

Guests will be instantly transported to another world as they enter the large grassy property with its expansive grove of pecan trees, bright blooming flowers, and enchanting spaces. Evening transforms this beautiful 10-acre property into a romantic wonderland of magical twinkling lights. Dine among the trees, dance under the stars, and celebrate a night truly worth remembering.

Inquire about booking the Farm at South Mountain here!

Gather Estate

Mesa, Arizona

Gather Estate provides the perfect mix of formality, comfort, and class that couples want to receive wedding guests. The atmosphere is perfect for those looking to have a more low-key, intimate gathering among the orchard trees. Indoor and outdoor space availability is also a huge plus at this venue along with the owner Shelley, she is super involved and is always a hit with all couples!

Inquire about booking Gather Estate here!

Arizona’s Best Wedding Venues : Modern

The Croft

Phoenix, Arizona

The Croft Downtown is unlike any other venue in the Phoenix area. The Croft Downtown offers urban cement floors and wood trellised ceilings, paired with stylish and chic décor to create an elegant yet comfortable ambience. This venue is equipped with an enchanting rustic ceremony area and a dedicated lofty reception space for dinner, dancing and entertainment.

Inquire about booking The Croft here!

The Ice House

Phoenix, Arizona

The Ice House has an industrial dream perfect for couples who want to add a flair all their own. Couples can let their imagination run free with this blank canvas venue, the owner has a huge collection of antiques as well that help make couples dreams a reality! The courtyard is absolutely stunning especially at night with the chandelier, the reception space is lit with candles and the perfect moody vibe, they also have an art gallery area for you to hold cocktail hour!

Inquire about booking The Ice House here!

Hotel Valley Ho

Scottsdale, Arizona

From an intimate celebration to a glittering gala, Hotel Valley Ho is the perfect setting for the wedding of your dreams. Originally opened in 1956 and fully restored, the hotel is a true icon of 1950s modernism in Downtown Scottsdale. Enjoy stunning venues like the lush Palm Courtyard and panoramic Sky Line Rooftop atop the seven-story Tower.

Inquire about booking Hotel Valley Ho here!

The Clayton House

Chandler, Arizona

The Clayton House is a dynamic space for all occasions! Previously an abandoned postal storage warehouse, this family-owned venue was renovated to become a one-of-a-kind wedding and event space merging past with present, making this an unparalleled backdrop for your event. Keeping the original frame and character throughout, the space has been renovated into a wedding and event space!

Inquire about booking The Clayton House here!

Northern Arizona Venues

Sky Ranch Lodge

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona Sky Weddings at historic Sky Ranch Lodge is family owned and operated by the Graham family for over 35 years. Sky Ranch Lodge offers premier views of the majestic Sedona Red Rocks along with lodging on site!

Inquire about booking The Sky Ranch Lodge here!

Red Agave Resort

Sedona, Arizona

Red Agave Resort provides a lovely outdoor venue for your wedding and accommodations for your guests, all in an intimate setting amidst a backdrop of stunning red rocks. There are also lodges available for guests to stay overnight on property and a beautiful hiking trail on the property to go off and take scenic wedding photos!

Inquire about booking Red Agave Resort here!

L’Auberge

Sedona, Arizona

At L’Auberge ceremonies may be set in an array of breathtaking backdrops. When booking this venue you have the choice of a hilltop canopy with sweeping red rock views or with flowing Oak Creek as both scenery and soundtrack.

Inquire about booking with L’Auberge here!

Tlaquepaque

Sedona, Arizona

Tlaquepaque offers beauty and charm in the heart of Sedona, Arizona. Specialized in intimate weddings, the vine covered stucco walls, cobble stoned walkways, arched entryways and elegant plazas, provide you with a magical place to design the wedding of your dreams and make forever memories.

Inquire about booking with Tlaquepaque here!

Aldea Wedding In The Woods

Flagstaff, Arizona

The Woods is an outdoor venue set in the gorgeous Flagstaff forest. Ceremony space set amongst the trees, a heated open air pavillion for dining, and 3,000sqft of twinkle lit decking for dancing the night away under the stars! It’s one of our favorite venues in Northern Arizona to give you that perfect forest wedding vibe.

Inquire about working with Aldea Weddings In The Woods here!

Arizona Nordic Village

Flagstaff, Arizona

Arizona Nordic Village is a unique venue in the Flagstaff pines. We love that you are able to rent yurts for wedding, hike around the property and stargaze in the woods without the pollution of city lights. This venue is perfect for anyone looking for an intimate forest wedding in Flagstaff! (stock photo from website!)

Inquire about booking Arizona Nordic Village here!

Cabins On Strawberry Hill

Strawberry, Arizona

Cabins on Strawberry Hill is pefect for you if you are looking for an inclusive venue with everything you need for your wedding in the Flagstaff pines including on site accommodations! Near Payson in the small charming town of Strawberry is the venue Cabins on Strawberry Hill! It’s a pretty short drive away from the Phoenix area and has most vendors you’ll need in their packages!

Inquire about booking with Cabins on Strawberry Hill here!

If you loved this guide but are wanting more of an elopement vibe for your wedding day, make sure you check out my blog on finding the perfect elopement location in Arizona!

What to do if there’s rain on your wedding day?

July 26, 2023July 26, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

What to do if there’s rain on your wedding day? : Arizona Elopement Photographer

We have all heard the phrase “rain on your wedding day is good luck!” When it comes to your wedding day, seeing that ominous rain cloud can feel like the end of the world and instantly send couples into a panic. Whether the weather calls for a light drizzle or shows a downpour the entire day, it is understandable that couples obsessively check the weather and wonder what the heck they are going to do if it does in fact rain on their wedding day. There are a million questions that run through our couples heads – Will our outfits be ruined? How will our photos turn out if it’s pouring rain? Of course, in a perfect world we would have immaculate lighting all day, perfect temps and not a cloud in sight! Rain on your wedding day does NOT have to be a buzzkill though! We try to remind our couples that the weather is ultimately out of your hands and there is no use in stressing over something that has yet to happen, but that does not mean there is no need for a backup plan!

Do we really need a rain plan?

Whether your wedding is in Arizona, where we get nearly no rain 90% of the year or in Oregon where it rains more often than not – yes you need a plan! It could seem silly if you are getting married in an area where it does not rain often but being prepared is key to having a stress free wedding experience and you will thank yourself if the day comes and it does in fact show signs of a drizzle!

Here are 6 tips to help you stay ahead and feel prepared for any weather issues that may pop up!

1. Keep tabs on the weather app

If you are worried about rain on your wedding day, checking the weather app can help you feel a little more in control. The week of your wedding is best to check in my opinion since things can change so often there is no use in stressing over something that has not happened yet. As you get into the week of your wedding if it still is showing rain you can make a plan of action for the day. Is the storm all day, just at morning or just at night? If it is one or the other you could always see about moving your ceremony to an earlier or later time. If it shows rain the entire time you can make a plan to shift your event to all indoors! Please know while yes it is helpful to keep tabs on the weather, checking too often can add to your stress so try and limit it to the week of for a more accurate read.

2. Talk to your Wedding Planner About What Rain on Your Wedding Day Means

If you do not have a wedding planner that you have hired, more than likely there is a contact at your venue that handles wedding coordination that you are in touch with during those final weeks. It is best to keep in touch with the day of contact, especially because they are familiar with the venue and have probably seen what other couples have done when bad weather hits. Your planner will be able to find an appropriate location at your venue or help create a plan of action in the event that it does rain on your wedding day.

3. Create a Back Up Plan

Before even booking a venue you should be thinking about the weather and how different scenarios could affect your wedding day. When touring wedding venues it is important to ask what the plan is if it does rain on your wedding day. Will the venue move the ceremony inside? Are you able to move the time of your ceremony? Does the venue provide a tent or have some sort of cover if they do not have an indoor space? These are all questions to consider when booking your venue. Having a back up plan in place helps to feel more in control of the situation and gives couples less stress when something goes wrong.

4. Come Prepared!

Rain on your wedding day does not have to be the end of the world! If you see rain in the forecast here are a few things you can pack to help to keep comfortable. You will need to bring an umbrella to stay under during the heavy rain if choosing to continue outside for your ceremony. On the plus side, clear umbrellas photograph beautifully and actually add some charm to your photos. We love using them! Another must is a change of shoes just in case one pair gets soggy. You will want to keep in mind wet grass and how easy it is to sink during rain. If your dress is long enough you could wear sneakers outside and change into heels later or you can find some heel protectors here! Having your makeup and hair stylist stay until after the ceremony to provide any touch ups from the rain is an amazing idea as well!

5. Keep Your Guests Comfortable If It Does Rain on Your Wedding Day

Keeping guests comfortable during any weather scenario is a big deal for couples. Just like during the summer heat couples provide guests with paper fans, in the winter there tends to be blankets to wrap with, etc. If you know there will be rain on your wedding day we always suggest getting umbrellas for guests to sit under during the ceremony. If you know far enough ahead you can even buy custom umbrellas that go with your wedding color palette to be more aesthetic!

6. Be Flexible and Embrace The Rain!

The biggest tip I can give you on your wedding day is to trust your vendors and embrace it! Working in the wedding industry for over 6 years I can not tell you how many events have had rain regardless of if it was a sprinkle or a downpour. The most important thing you can do is to embrace it. It is still your wedding day, rain or shine!

If you live in Arizona and are planning to elope, check out our blog on our top 10 locations to elope!

Sedona Elopement at Merry Go Round Rock : Arizona Elopement Photographer

July 25, 2023July 25, 2023 ~ Charlotte Francis Photo

Sedona Elopement at Merry Go Round Rock

For their Sedona Elopement – Sam and Emily knew exactly what they wanted to bring their dream day to life. Sam and Emily told me when planning their dream elopement day : “We knew that a traditional wedding wasn’t for us. Deciding where to elope was easy! We both wanted to travel somewhere we have have never been, and Sedona sold us both very quickly.” Sedona is known to be one of the most magical locations in Arizona. The energy vortexes attract many couples wanting a more spiritual feel for their Elopement. Also while also having an abundance of nearby hiking trails, wineries, and resorts. It is perfect for those who want to make a weekend trip out of their Elopement! The possibilities for Eloping in Sedona are endless. Being an Arizona Wedding Photographer has given us the chance to experience Sedona many times and never gets old.

Having visited Sedona many times, we have also had a chance to off-road in our Jeep. Being able to access those difficult off-road trails that couples come to love and desire for an epic overlook for photos! Couples are able to do Pink Jeep Tours to access most spots but for a more intimate feel, we always recommend renting your own jeep for the weekend or jumping in the Jeep with us!

Emily and Sam opted for a cozy Airbnb to get ready for their Sedona Elopement. Having a hotel or Airbnb that has plenty of natural light and space for you to get ready the morning of your wedding is a must! They spent their wedding morning getting ready and writing vows to each other in the kitchen – it was super intimate and sentimental and all about just them, which is exactly what they wanted! After they finished getting ready we took separate cars and headed to a stunning creek in Sedona to do their first look together. We highly recommend weekdays for Elopements so that you can have the entire space to yourself and don’t have to

worry about crowds!

After an intimate first look, Emily and Sam were off to our favorite off road location in Sedona for more fun! Merry Go Round Rock is one of our favorite, more secluded places to bring our couples who decide on a Sedona Elopement. Merry Go Round is only accessible via an offroad vehicle so typically our couples can only access this location if they book a Pink Jeep Tour or hop in our jeep with us! Still wanting to incorporate some activities from a traditional wedding, the couple decided to share a first dance cliffside surrounded by Sedona’s beautiful red rocks. A little tip if you are eloping and wondering what kind of activities can we include to make our elopement day be THAT much more special? Check out my blog on what activities to include in your elopement day!

One of the things they looked forward to most about their Sedona Elopement was the beautiful views they could share during their vows and sunset photos. They had a jaw dropping view of the red rocks as the sun set along with blue hour overlooking the valley. Back at the Airbnb, Sam and Emily finished the night stargazing and enjoying s’mores fireside. It was an absolute dream ending to their Elopement in Sedona.